Kevin Wright will be offering stories, pictures and memories of a life filled with outdoors adventures in and around Central Illinois.

Leaving the nest

About this blog

By Kevin Wright

My name is Kevin Wright, and I am a freelance outdoor writer and wildlife photographer. At one time or another, you might have read one of my long running outdoor columns (over 16 years) in the Canton Daily Ledger. I also write for numerous
...

My name is Kevin Wright, and I am a freelance outdoor writer and wildlife photographer. At one time or another, you might have read one of my long running outdoor columns (over 16 years) in the Canton Daily Ledger. I also write for numerous magazines and websites. I have also returned to a column in the Ledger running the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month. I am also a member of the Outdoor Writers Association Of America.

It was one of those dreary days. A gentle mist was coming down, but it was calm. The rain that had fallen the day before left the earth soft and gentle, making my footsteps fall silent.

I was in the woods to check on my owl family. The babies should be leaving the nest soon, and I want to be there to get a few photographs of the momentous occasion. It’s been just over four weeks since they were born, they are ready to move on.

The long walk to the nest site was quiet. It was still rather dark, so photography would have been out of the question anyway.

Upon arriving in the vicinity of the nesting area, I noticed rather quickly that one of the owls had indeed left the nest. Once leaving the nest, the owls will perch on nearby tree limbs as they stretch and get used to this new “outside” world. The other baby owl is a few days younger and was still sitting on the nest. I got the photographs that I needed and left the area.